The next morning, Scott Livinus changed into his clothes and was standing in front of the mirror, tying his tie.
There was a knock at the door, and Felix walked in.
“Boss.”
Felix handed over the document to Scott Livinus and said, “This is the revised draft.”
Today, Scott Livinus was scheduled to attend an industry seminar, and given his status, he was sure to speak. So Felix brought the speech early so that he could review it a few times.
Just as he finished reading it once, he saw Sophia, who was wearing a cross-body bag, running out from the doorway.
Scott Livinus glanced at his watch and then stared at the door for a long time.
Strangely, Sophia would usually have left by this time. The hospital had an early roll call, and she usually left early. With her exercise routine, she would wake up at six to work out, leave at around seven, yet now it was already past eight, and she still hadn’t left.
Right, Scott Livinus’s hand paused on his tie, his gaze becoming slightly contemplative as he looked into the mirror.
He had forgotten that Sophia had stopped her internship because of Olivia.
“Has Sophia not been going to the hospital?”
Felix shook his head. “I don’t think so. From what I found, Miss Smith left the hospital that very day.”
Without a word, Scott Livinus buttoned his cuffs and headed out the door. Watching Sophia’s figure running outside, he frowned.
She no longer needed to go to the hospital, yet she left at the same time every day. Where exactly was she going?
The next day was another busy one. Most of the patients visiting the clinic were children; mothers truly were a formidable group.
Just the mother of Benjamin alone spread the word, and soon, people were coming from across the city.
Every day, dozens of people were bringing their children to see her, and from morning to night, there was no rest.
At this rate, Sophia would have to live at the clinic.
In the afternoon, she had just caught her breath when the phone rang.
“Hello.”
“It’s me.”
After a moment of silence, Sophia suddenly recognized the voice as Scott Livinus. This tone was unique; no one else could imitate it.
She realized this was the first time he had called her. Did he know her number?
“What’s up?”
On the other end, Scott Livinus also paused, realizing that this blunt reply could only come from Sophia.
They both knew they had an accurate sense of each other.
Scott Livinus’s lips subtly curved with interest. “Today, Tony invited you to dinner.”
Sophia was taken aback; she had almost forgotten about Tony.
By now, it had been a few weeks since he began his treatment. If his condition was well-adjusted, he might be ready for medication to support pregnancy. Tony probably had this in mind, and since she was introduced by Scott Livinus, he wanted to treat her as a gesture among friends.
Sophia had little interest in the meal itself but was concerned about the health of Tony and his wife.
But right now, the clinic was packed with patients, mostly children, and she really couldn’t leave!
“Sure, but I might be a little late.”
“No problem, we’ll wait for you.”
When Sophia said she’d be “a little late,” she really meant it. She ended up being over two hours late, arriving at the restaurant after eight. She had already called Tony and his wife, asking them to start eating without her, but Tony insisted, saying he would wait until midnight if necessary.
Sophia felt genuinely apologetic, but the patients at the clinic were in urgent need, and she had spent the entire evening tending to them. After finally seeing the last patient out, she made her way to the restaurant, still late.
“I’m really sorry!” she said, feeling embarrassed.
Tony, however, simply smiled and said with good-natured patience, “No need to apologize, Dr. Smith. We completely understand. You’re a doctor, after all; saving lives is your duty. We’re just regular folks without anything as important going on.”
He spoke with such sincerity, almost like a respectful son, which amused Scott Livinus, who was watching the exchange.
In the past, if an acquaintance kept Tony waiting, he would likely have cursed out their entire family. But now, he was acting as deferentially as a grandson. The contrast was almost comical.
With a warm smile, Tony poured Sophia a glass of water and asked, “Dr. Smith, would you like some juice?”
“No need, I brought my own herbal tea.” Sophia said, pulling out her insulated cup.
As she opened it, the herbal aroma filled the room, surprising everyone with its strong scent.
Betty, another friend at the table, laughed and said, “Dr. Smith, you really take health seriously! You’re the most dedicated wellness enthusiast I’ve ever met.”
Sophia chuckled, “It’s not really about wellness; I just value my health. Given today’s air and water quality, plus all the pesticides and fertilizers, by the time our generation gets older, the cancer rates are bound to be high.”
Everyone nodded, understanding the logic, though not everyone was ready to take such diligent care of their health.
Sophia, with her radiant, healthy complexion, had a natural beauty that could never be achieved with makeup alone. Her skin was flawless, her lips were rosy, her eyes bright, and there were no dark circles under her eyes. Her slender figure and graceful demeanor gave her an almost ethereal beauty that made her seem cherished and valued.
Betty couldn’t help but admire her and remarked, “Dr. Smith, your legs are so slim.”
“I exercise and use foam rollers and massage balls daily. It helps stimulate blood flow and keeps the muscles and acupoints healthy over time,” Sophia replied earnestly, making Betty laugh again.
For Betty, this was her first time meeting such a young, beautiful doctor who was so focused on wellness. This contrast between Sophia’s age and her habits made Betty appreciate her even more.
The restaurant they were dining at was close to Sophia’s clinic, also on the hillside. However, while Sophia’s clinic was in a less-developed area among tea fields, this side of the hill had high-end restaurants and a more established environment.
They were dining at a restaurant known for its organic and natural food, with every ingredient grown or raised locally on the mountain. The restaurant took pride in using fresh produce from their own farms, with everything from pork and beef to vegetables and spices cultivated on-site.
It was rumored that the chef here was highly skilled, and the food standards were highly rated.
Looking at the dishes, Sophia noticed that the plating was artistic and refined, unlike traditional dishes with large portions. Here, each dish was presented as a work of art, and the service was impeccable.
The group of four included Tony and his wife, who sat together, while Sophia and Scott Livinus sat beside each other.
